From ASSASSIN, IN HIS OWN WORDS:On Saturday March 28, 2009, my performance at the Red Stripe Live concert was ended prematurely and abruptly, as I was stripped of my microphone and escorted off stage. I have spent many years of hard work and sacrifice building my reputation and brand as an artist, with a great level of integrity and professionalism. Indeed, the decision to include me in the line-up of this particular event is testament to that.

I therefore have a responsibility to my fans and the general public to explain exactly what took place. Upon being booked for the event, the songs I would be performing in my set were submitted in their entirety (without edits) weeks in advance, as requested by the organizers of the event. I rehearsed the songs in their entirety, on two separate occasions, in the presence of representatives from Red Stripe. There was no written or verbal communication from Red Stripe indicating any disapproval of the planned set, nor any discomfort with any specific lyrics or song. During my final rehearsal, I was merely asked to bear in mind the nature of the show, and upon arrival at the venue I was given a generic briefing by the promoters. At this point, there was still no indication from the promoters of any issue or objection to the planned performance.

During my performance, I did not deviate in any way from the rehearsed set. I was therefore shocked when approximately eight minutes into the ten minutes I was allotted, I was forced to discontinue. I was subsequently accused of breaching company policy by using what the promoter labeled offensive and discriminatory lyrical content, specifically, the use of the word "fish" in the song titled "Pree This." The promoter then demanded that I apologize to the audience, a demand to which I did not comply. I am very disappointed by the unprofessional manner in which the matter was handled. I am even more concerned about the potential damage that may be done to my reputation that I have worked so hard to achieve and maintain. My management has since been contacted by Red Stripe's Maxine Whittingham-Osbourne, who admitted it was miscommunication among Red Stripe representatives rather than any wrong doing on my part that resulted in this whole incident. She also stated that after reviewing the lyrics of the song, agreed I did not break any of Red Stripe's company codes. She apologized for failing to communicate with me prior to my performance that any lyrics were deemed questionable. I still feel the need to take this opportunity to assure those who support my music that I am in no way at fault for Saturday night's unfortunate incident. I will continue to exercise discretion in my work, and I remain committed to the high level of integrity that has come to be expected of me.

The lyrics of the song at the center of the incident are as follows:

"Pree This"

Intro

Jamaica a wi islandJamrock, what kind a rock?... Trust mi is a diamondMi nah run lef an go no where Mi nah try off a Philippines, mi nah try off a ThailandNo, because Jamaica a mi islandFi lef ya come in like mi tek sea ova dry land...

Verse One

Well Pree thisHow so much fish deh yah like seh a sea this?And pree this, dem gooda hear that an want say me disWell pree this, see a Bible yah, gwaan go read thisAnd tell mi whey yuh see say yuh fi a man yuh P?Eh eh, no sah, Jamaica mi can't believe thisA find headless pickney, a couldn't we thisNo murder nah commit a St. Kitts and Nevis But we a gwaan like seh we a Islamic extremistLow mi nuh officer after a nuh speed thisHow yuh a gwaan so and is a draw a weed thisAlright then nuh say nutten, hold this is a G thisYuh face still mek up?... alright a three this Di country a mash up, how wi ago treat this?If we unite mi know we can defeat thisBecause a full time we bring back the sweetness Until Jamaica give wi diabetes

Chorus

Because the economy poor and the crime rate high but a Jamaica still a we yardMi nuh know bout you but mi sure bout me, dem ting deh nuffi gwaan ina mi yardWhat mi say? Things not great but wi must hold the faithAlthough times so hard, mi sayWi affi try set it, we nah run lef itJamaica still a wi yard

Verse Two

Well hear thisCome mek wi pretend seh is a election year thisAnd everybody try find a better way fi steer thisCause if we continue so, tourists goin fear this and nobody nah go want come near thisWell hear this...Jamaica we can't move so we a live too carelessNuff prayer a send up mek di Almighty spear this Well Ja-Mek-Ya him a test wi, wi can't fail thisHim goodly take it back, so do nuh mek him send a bailiff Mi kick back pon di beach and mi a sip a Baileys And mi a remember how much hurricane and how much near missBut wi crime rate mek wi feel like wi deh pon death rowIs like is an electric chair this -END-